With wisdom, power and love

I am sure that the full impact of departing my work will not sink in for a while. The last days were sweet and affirming. I am filled with the generosity of people, the tenderness of my staff and parents and struck by the freedom with which the younger kids give away their love and kindness. The days could not have been better and I am grateful to those who kept to my wishes of ending the year as we always have. In a year filled with some "drama", the last days were appropriate and, I hope, Spirit-filled.

I am trying to set up an account for those who want to communicate with me during my time away and who have expressed wishes to contribute financially to the projects with which I am involved. This blog will be a good place to get the word out - at least until I leave in early September.

Those who know me, know my love for contemplation, prayer and silence. Those who know me well know the dangers I could face in running to the silence and solitude, as a way to avoid the "real" and the messy. I have been toying with the idea of trying to integrate a communal life in Africa with a contemplative life. On prior trips to the monastery, I asked myself if a contemplative lifestyle would be one I was called to. Always, the answer was a firm "Heck no!" I graduated from Xavier long ago with a Theology degree, begging the question - "So you want to be a priest?" Again the answer "Heck no!" I joined an intentional lay community when I was younger because I believed in the gift of community and lived a shared lifestyle for many years. But - there was always that desire to also have a life of structured prayer. The monks live daily with a WORK and PRAY lifestyle. I like that - add to it a strong community and I think I could get use to it. So, what I am thinking - as I learn more about what my situation may be in Kitui, I might try to structure my days more in the tradition of that WORK and PRAY lifestyle. With no electricity in the Village, I am guessing things wrap up when the sun goes down. What an opportunity to pray the sun up and pray the sun down each day. I have hoped for another or someone to share this adventure, so maybe there will be some communal aspect to the life in the Village - either with the residents or the volunteers. Who knows what God has planned.

So . . . I am just in the beginning thoughts of integrating prayer and contemplation in Africa. My friends in New Mexico do it well - at the Center for Action and Contemplation. They have the right idea. Not knowing what I will find when I head to Africa, it is hard to imagine the life and much, I am sure, has to be free-flowing and I need a "play-it-by-ear" mentality. But as we head to Gethsemani for a few days next week, there are some things I can keep in mind. If there is one thing I know for sure - I need a prayer life to keep moving. It is a gift of the Spirit that I could loose if it is not used.